Gould whitewashed by 15-year-old at China Open

Martin Gould’s preparations for the World Championship were dealt a blow with a first-round whitewash at the China Open – at the hands of 15-year-old Yuan Sijun.

The Pinner Potter is guaranteed to be seeded at the Crucible Theatre but will have to hit the practice table earlier than expected after a shock defeat to the teenage amateur.

Yuan, who beat world number 50 Andrew Higginson in the qualifying round on Monday, maintained his momentum in Beijing by taking the opening two frames.

But it was in the next where he showed his promise, hitting a superb 102 to take control of the best-of-nine encounter.

Gould, currently ranked 13 in the world after one of the best seasons of his career, couldn’t peg back Yuan, who finished off the 5-0 win with a break of 55.